Paul Walter
CountryEngland
FullnamePaul Ian Walter
Birth date28 May 1994 (age 32)
Birth placeBillericay, Essex, England
Height201cm
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingLeft-arm medium-fast
RoleAll rounder
Club 1Essex
Year 12016–present
Clubnumber 122
Club 2Manchester Originals
Year 22022–2024
Club 3Brisbane Heat
Year 32023/24–2024/25
Club 4Peshawar Zalmi
Year 42024
Club 5Welsh Fire
Year 52025
Type 1First-class
Debutdate 113 August
Debutyear 12016
Debutfor 1Essex
Debutagainst 1Derbyshire
Type 2List A
Debutdate 210 May
Debutyear 22017
Debutfor 2Essex
Debutagainst 2Sussex
Columns3
Column 1FC
Matches 171
Runs 13,527
Bat avg 137.52
100s/50s 16/17
Top score 1158
Deliveries 12,044
Wickets 131
Bowl avg 139.12
Fivefor 10
Tenfor 10
Best bowling 13/20
Catches/stumpings 143/–
Column 2LA
Matches 217
Runs 2298
Bat avg 227.09
100s/50s 20/1
Top score 250
Deliveries 2386
Wickets 214
Bowl avg 232.92
Fivefor 20
Tenfor 20
Best bowling 24/37
Catches/stumpings 28/–
Column 3T20
Matches 3175
Runs 32,504
Bat avg 320.03
100s/50s 30/10
Top score 378
Deliveries 32,043
Wickets 3116
Bowl avg 327.29
Fivefor 30
Tenfor 30
Best bowling 33/20
Catches/stumpings 386/–
Date23 May 2026
SourceCricketArchive

Paul Ian Walter (born 28 May 1994) is an English cricketer who plays for Essex County Cricket Club. He is a left-handed all-rounder who bowls left-arm medium-fast. He made his Twenty20 debut for Essex, on 24 June 2016, against Hampshire.[1] He made his List A debut for Essex in the 2017 Royal London One-Day Cup on 10 May 2017.[2]

Originally taking his place in the Essex team mostly as bowler, and batting at number 10 on his first-class debut,[3] Walter later was picked as a number three batsman and even as an opener in limited-overs cricket. In the 2021 season he found a regular place in the middle-order for Essex in the County Championship, being notable for his consistency. He maintains an average of around 40. On the other hand his bowling was rarely used.

He started the 2022 season in the second XI with new signing Matt Critchley taking his spot in the middle order. Returning to the first team after injury to Dan Lawrence, he made 93 against Northants to help save the match and secure his place in the side. In May 2022, in the 2022 County Championship, Walter scored his maiden century in first-class cricket, with 141 against Yorkshire.[4]

Walter signed with the Brisbane Heat for BBL13, where he quickly became a cult hero, making key contributions with bat and ball in a number of games, notably winning the Player of the Match Award in wins against the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers.

Walter played in the final against the Sixers, as the Heat took out the title for the first time since BBL02, becoming only the third team to win the title on multiple occasions, after the Sixers and Perth Scorchers.

Walter took 17 wickets in his 11 matches, with only his teammates Xavier Bartlett (20) and Spencer Johnson (19) having taken more wickets in the tournament.

Walter's return to Brisbane for BBL14 was less successful, having been dropped after making five appearances, taking just two wickets and going at an economy rate of greater than 10 runs per over.

References

  1. ^ "NatWest t20 Blast, South Group: Essex v Hampshire at Chelmsford, 24 June 2016". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Royal London One-Day Cup, South Group: Essex v Sussex at Chelmsford, May 10, 2017". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Derbyshire vs. Essex". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Paul Walter ends long wait for century, to leave Joe Root waiting in the wings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 May 2022.